Author Archives: ross@planrfp.co.uk

Millions of well-intentioned people in the UK are helping their loved ones manage their online financial accounts, but could risk having these accounts frozen because they don’t have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place.  Lloyds’s 2024 Consumer Digital Index (3 November 2025) suggests 1 in 5 adults – the equivalent of 11 million […]

Fewer than 1 in 5 UK adults are “adequately” protected from health and financial shocks, according to Cover Magazine (4 March 2026). This means families could be more vulnerable to shocks and face the consequences of being unable to meet financial commitments. A financial or health shock could have long-term implications for your finances. For […]

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a growing concern for many people in the UK, with increasing numbers of estates facing a rising tax liability. Each year, the amount of IHT paid to HMRC is increasing. By 2030/31, the Office for Budget Responsibility (February 2026) forecasts that IHT receipts will reach £14.5 billion, up from £8.3 billion […]

Building wealth without a financial plan may be like searching for a destination without a map. You might miss the most efficient route, take an unnecessary detour, or miss your intended target altogether. A clear plan could be essential for helping you reach your goals.  If you’re simply accumulating wealth, your assets don’t have a […]

Like inflation, lifestyle inflation could affect your finances, and you might not be aware of the effects straightaway. Find out how it might impede your ability to reach your goals and some ways to manage it. Lifestyle inflation refers to the tendency for spending to increase as your income rises. Often, this spending goes on […]

It can be easy to overlook medium-term goals when reviewing your long-term plans. Yet, they’re often important for your wellbeing. Find out how you might manage your medium-term goals. Last month, you read about how you might manage your wealth when working towards short-term goals. Now, read on to discover some options you might want […]

The war in Iran could lead to higher interest rates and affect the cost of your mortgage. Find out why and whether you could be affected.  At the end of 2025, there was an expectation that the Bank of England (BoE) would make several cuts to the base interest rate in 2026 as the rate […]

Thousands of people delay claiming their State Pension every year. There are some potential benefits, including managing their tax liability, but there are also drawbacks that are important to consider.  The State Pension is a regular government payment you may receive from when you reach State Pension Age until you die. The current State Pension […]

Deciding how you’d like your assets to be managed later in life and after you pass away may be intimidating. However, a cashflow model could help you answer both financial and emotional questions, so you’re in a better position to tackle your estate plan.  According to a survey conducted by Aegon (5 March 2026), 1 […]

The current situation in the Middle East has led to market volatility. While it might seem new, similar movements have happened before, and looking at how these events have affected investor behaviour could be useful. At the end of February 2026, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which have further escalated. The uncertainty […]